Real Madrid: “This Champions League… Our Champions League!”

By Victor Opone

Before kickoff, the question on every lip was if anyone could prevent the holders, Real Madrid, from making it a hat-trick in a competition that is fast becoming their forte this season. They might be places behind Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga but they have turned the UEFA Champions League into their own playground.

Certainly, a major key has been gathering momentum at the right time so much that the results against Tottenham in the group stage have been forgotten.

Juventus were expected to be that team to halt their rampage. Given the history between the two giants at this stage, several fans were skeptical about Real Madrid’s chances of advancing into the semis. If anything, Chiellini’s words pre-match could have been a pointer to what to expect.

Goal-scoring machine

Two minutes and forty-seven seconds into the match, a certain individual sent Isco’s cross into the back of the net. This was the beginning of an awesome display that once again rubber-stamped their pedigree. To come to Turin and put in such an assertive performance is a real marker.

To Juventus’ credit they did try to force an equalizer with Keylor Navas tested by Dybala and timely blocks from Ramos.

3 – This is #Juventus' biggest home defeat in all competitions since the Bianconeri moved to their new stadium in September 2011. Thump. #JuveReal

But Madrid controlled proceedings for majority of the match. It was only the first leg but the tie looks as good as over. If the squad looked so commanding with quality above others, one man was the catalyst for pushing them beyond the reach of the Old Lady.

Zidane is left stunned after Cristiano Ronaldo’s bicycle kick.

His individual performance was so notable that opposition fans rose to applaud his stunner for the second of the night: an overhead kick that left Gigi Buffon in a quick modeling pose. This amazing individual further endeared himself with a touch of class by acknowledging these fans.

Now to some more ridiculous stats from this guy called Cristiano Ronaldo:

9 – Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored nine Champions League goals against Juventus – no player has scored more against a single opponent in the competition (also Cristiano Ronaldo vs Bayern Munich and Lionel Messi vs Arsenal). Nemesis. pic.twitter.com/bMNq4UH5sX

Juve’s misery was further compounded by Paulo Dybala’s red card and Marcelo bundling in a third, with Ronaldo later hitting the crossbar – as Toni Kroos had done in the opening period – and spurning two more opportunities to register yet another hat-trick. The headlines were already his, though, his exploits leaves Juve with a mountain to climb in the Spanish capital next week.

Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Who else but the Portuguese? He got two more goals for himself, got an assist and put up another match-winning performance. Ronaldo’s most memorable moments are plentiful, but that bicycle kick is right up there. The records keep on coming!!!

Author: For The Goal

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